A Cliftonville by-election hustings last night (April 7) attracted around 60 people who wanted to ask questions of the candidates for the Kent County Council seat.
The event was organised by resident Nico Macdonald, who wanted to facilitate local democratic engagement.
All candidates were invited but only the Labour and Green contenders – Joanne Bright and Rob Yates- and a spokesperson for Liberal Democrat candidate Dr Mo Shafaei, were able to attend.
Apologies had been made in advance for Tory Charlie Leys. Reform’s Marc Rattigan had to attend a family emergency. Independent Lucy Gray did not attend.
Among questions prior to the event was one from a vulnerable abuse survivor who raised concerns about antisemitism, data protection, and public safety but had to submit by email after feeling unable to attend in person.
The survivor said they did not feel safe attending in person and instead submitted questions on antisemitism, safeguarding, and the handling of sensitive personal data.
The email asked whether candidates had received formal GDPR training and how they would protect vulnerable residents – including survivors of abuse and those at risk of targeted harassment – from data exposure, cyber-enabled harm, and real-world risk.
The survivor, who holds an Anonymous Voter certificate following personal trauma and a serious data breach, said their experience highlights a wider issue.
They said: “These events are meant to give the public a voice. But for some of us, it is not safe to stand up and speak.”
They warned that failures in data protection and emerging forms of technology-enabled abuse are not abstract but can directly impact personal safety – particularly for those already at risk.
National charity PTSD UK has also raised concerns about the risks posed by weak data protection, warning that breaches affecting survivors can be “life-threatening” and may expose individuals to harm even where safeguards such as Anonymous Voter status are in place.
The hustings, held at the ARK in Cliftonville, were organised to give residents the opportunity to raise the issues most important to them.
Other issues raised included potholes, fly tipping, community safety, education and local government reorganisation.
The by-election takes place tomorrow (April 9) with the result announced on Friday (April 10).
Hope everything is ok with reform candidate marc rattigan, as the same reason was given when he missed last years pre election hustling in Margate standing then as a proud Tory
What reason did the Greens give for not attending the hustings in Margate last year Barry?
Mr brown, greens did not have a candidate in Margate last year!!!
My point exactly. What reason did you give for that Barry? Why did nobody in Margate have the option to vote Green Barry?
Mr brown, the Green Party did not want to stand against an independent candidate who as a councillor was in the green/independent group on Kent County council. The Greens policy is to support independents who are aligned to their council groups
Barry. You were that independent candidate, weren’t you? You were elected as a Labour councillor and only became part of the Green/independent group after leaving Labour with less than 6 months to go before the next election. Do you believe it was acceptable for the electorate of Margate to be denied the opportunity to vote Green because of their support of you? Do you think it’s wrong that a candidate in this election is now standing for a different party? Just like you did.
The big question: Did Joanne Bright publicly apologise to Mrs Taylor for exploiting the woman’s awful situation during Labour’s election campaign?
If reform cared about this sort of stuff, farage wouldn’t be mates with pedo Trump, Andrew and Tristan Tate (groomers of young teenage lads into online gambling and p0 rn and wanted on rake charges in three countries). If Reform cared about this stuff, it wouldn’t be taking on folk like Taylor, McMurdock et al. If Reform cared about this stuff, Farage wouldn’t make Cameo videos bigging up the worst nonce this country had ever seen, Ian Watkins.
It was Labour who exploited this woman’s situation for political gain.
Joanne Bright didn’t do anything wrong. The accusation was levelled against our M.P. Polly Billington. She should explain what she was doing and while. This rather deflects from the Faragistas appalling record of existence, misogynistic and unpleasant record against women and girls. Candidates can always send another elected representative, their agent or another candidate. During the 2015 Labour Leadership hustings up in Medway, Jeremy Corbyn could not attend as it was his adoption meeting in Islington. I attended on his behalf and debated Andy Burnham and Liz Kendall. Yvette Cooper never showed up. Good debate but rather like shouting fish in a barrel! Vast majority of meeting voted for Jeremy!
Reform didn’t turn up because they would have been asked why they want to privatise the NHS, allow Fox Hunting and remove the Human Rights Act!
Presumably Joanne Bright went along with the idea.
Presumably. So, you don’t actually know, just wish it were true so your pre conceived ideas are “right” and don’t you suffer ego injury from being wrong?
Well if she didn’t go along with it, she should’ve spoke up for herself and refused to have it on her promototional literature. No-one that submissive and meek deserves to win elections.
Big hugs.